INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Laura Chaplin
Research Technician
Case Western Reserve University
Dept. of Pharmacology
1. What is your educational background?
I graduated for Riverside High School in 2001. I was PSEO student
at Lakeland Community College my senior year of high school. I continued
my education at Lakeland Community College and graduated in 2003
with my Associate Degree in Bioscience Technology.
2. What can you tell me about your experience at Lakeland Community
College?
My experience at Lakeland was very positive.
I found the staff and faculty to be knowledgeable and helpful.
Help with classes in
the tutoring department was always available as well as individual
help from instructors. Dr. Deak of the Bioscience Technology program
is very dedicated to his program and students, and has an excellent
background in his field.
3. What is your current job title? Where are you employed?
I am a Research Technician at Case Western Reserve University in
the department of Pharmacology.
4. What is a typical day at work like for you?
I can’t say that any day in science
is typical. I am usually doing something different everyday. For
example this week I was genotyping
mice, sequencing DNA, immunostaining tissue sections and preparing
plasmid DNA for mammalian cell transfections. I think that is what
is most interesting about my job everything that I do in a week may
be different but all connected to the same project.
5. Can you tell me about any particular projects that you are working
on?
Our lab focuses on the role of estrogens in breast cancer. We are
particularly interested in EDG1 and QR. EDG1 is and Estrogen Down
regulated Gene. We are currently trying to understand its role in
breast cancer development. QR or Quinone Reductase, seems to contribute
to the anticancer and antioxidant properties of antiestrogens. We
are continuing to study the functions of QR in breast cancer.
6. What general work skills do you use on a daily basis?
Critical thinking is a skill used everyday in science. You have
to be able to troubleshoot problems. It will also help you make connections
between your hypothesis and your results, and to know what to do
next. Basic math skills are also very important. If your calculations
are off then your results will be useless.
7. What advice do you have for someone who wants to pursue a career
in Biotechnology?
The best advice I can give is to make sure science is your passion.
You can be a skilled scientist and fail because you lack the passion
and enthusiasm it requires.
8. What are your future plans?
I’m continuing my bachelor’s at Case Western Reserve
University part time. I haven’t decided yet what I am going
to do long term, but I am very happy in research for now.
